ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s T20I squad have arrived in Auckland as they prepare for the crucial third T20I against New Zealand on Friday.
The national team is scheduled to engage in a practice session at Eden Park from 2 PM to 5 PM local time, striving to bounce back from consecutive defeats in the series. The must-win third T20I is slated for Friday, March 21.
In the second T20I, Pakistan’s difficulties persisted as they failed to defend a modest total of 135 in a rain-affected 15-over match. New Zealand’s openers, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, ignited the innings with a brisk 66-run partnership, setting the stage for a commanding chase.
Seifert’s explosive 45 off just 22 deliveries was curtailed by Mohammad Ali, who celebrated his first T20I wicket, while Allen dazzled with a quickfire 38 off 16 before falling to Jahandad Khan.
Pakistan managed to make some headway by dismissing Mark Chapman (1) and Jimmy Neesham (14), but a solid 35-run collaboration between Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Hay kept New Zealand on track. Although Haris Rauf sent Mitchell packing for 14, the duo of Michael Bracewell and Hay sealed victory with 11 balls to spare.
Dunedin ➡️ Auckland
Travel day for the Pakistan team ✅#NZvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/nDTlfcabb1
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 19, 2025
Pakistan’s batting continued to falter as early wickets once again derailed their innings. Captain Salman Ali Agha and Irfan Khan managed to stitch together a 31-run partnership, but Ish Sodhi’s double whammy in the seventh over, which accounted for Irfan (11) and Khushdil Shah (2), left Pakistan reeling at 52-4.
Agha fought valiantly with a brisk 46 off 28 balls, supported by Shadab Khan’s 24, but their dismissals exposed the fragile lower order. A late flurry of 22 runs from Shaheen Afridi nudged the total to 135, a figure that ultimately fell short.
With the series slipping through their fingers, Pakistan is determined to turn the tide in Auckland and keep their hopes alive.
